Rafa Benitez hasn't had the smoothest of transitions into
the Chelsea hotseat, but he could have at least hoped for the support of the
club captain.

But before the cries of 'you're not welcome here' roared
around Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, John Terry had already made his feelings clear with a personal tribute to Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked last week despite guiding the club to last season's Champions League and FA Cup.

The defender, currently sidelined with a knee problem, usually wears No 26. He took
to the Chelsea pitch to train with the club's fitness staff wearing a No 16 drill
top, the number Di Matteo wore in his playing days for club and country.

Delivering a message, JT? John Terry worked on his fitness before the Manchester City match wearing Roberto Di Matteo's No 16 squad number on his chest

Sweet 16: Terry takes a light jog around The Bridge before the 0-0 draw with Manchester City yesterday

CAPTAIN'S LOG...

John Terry wrote in yesterday's matchday programme...

I want to say that it was a privilege to play for Robbie. I had the pleasure, as a YTS player growing up, of watching and learning from him and to go on and play under him as captain was an honour.

To win two competitions last season, including the Champions League that we had wanted for so long, was incredible.

Robbie is a great man and an absolute legend. We wish him every success in the future, because saying thanks doesn't seem enough.

On Thursday, we welcomed Rafa Benitez as our first-team manager. All the players are looking forward to working with him and we can get off to a great start if we beat Manchester City today, which will move us within a point of them.

Di Matteo was sacked last week following a disappointing run
of results which threatened the Blues' place in the top four as well as leaving
them on the brink of Champions League elimination.

Chelsea fans had something to smile
about at the end of a tough week for the club as Terry trained before the visit of Manchester City.

Terry has been sidelined since
damaging his knee in a collision with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez
during a 1-1 draw between the sides on November 11.

The central defender had only just
returned to the side after serving a four-match ban for racially abusing
Anton Ferdinand, and was expected to be out for around three weeks.

The Blues struggled in his
absence with just one win in eight games in all competitions before facing City - a run of
results that cost Roberto Di Matteo his job.

Former Liverpool boss Benitez stepped in as interim manager and he took charge for the first time
in Sunday's goalless draw.

Terry is looking forward to working with Benitez following the Spaniard's appointment.

There have been suggestions some of the Blues' senior players might be sceptical about Benitez being handed the reins following his run-ins with his new club while at Anfield.

But Terry wrote in his programme notes (panel above right): 'On Thursday, we welcomed Rafa Benitez as our first-team manager. All the players are looking forward to working with him.'